-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image0.jpg
Avatar
For all its groundbreaking achievements and Golden Globe wins for Best Picture and Best Director, 'Avatar' is destined to be on 2010's Oscars ballot. 'Avatar' has changed the way films will be made in Hollywood for years to come. That alone should score James Cameron and his billion-dollar baby big kudos from Academy Award voters.
20th Century Fox
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image1.jpg
The Blind Side
'The Blind Side' came out of nowhere in 2009 to earn critical acclaim for its leading lady, Sandra Bullock. Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, 'The Blind Side' tells the moving tale of a homeless African-American teen and football player. Adopted by two caring white parents, this kid’s life is transformed forever. Just the kind of inspirational, unexpected nomination to spice things up in 2010’s Best Picture race.
Warner Bros.,
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image2.jpg
District 9
Tentacled creatures, flying-saucer mayhem and other giddy sci-fi treasures found in 'District 9' rocked the box office in 2009. Now, this nifty, guilty-pleasure flick is sharing space with lofty Best Picture contenders. 'District 9' is a long shot to win. But, don't count this flick or its steel-plated aliens out of the running!
TriStar Pictures
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image3.jpg
An Education
Among 'An Education's' many charms, none surpasses Carey Mulligan's breakout performance as a 16-year-old girl learning about love in 1960's London. The English actress steals the show from older, on-screen beau, Peter Sarsgaard. Together they give this wise coming-of-age tale the right stuff for Best Picture contention.
Sony Pictures Classics
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image4.jpg
The Hurt Locker
This tough, scary, realistic film about being a U.S. soldier in Iraq will easily impress Oscar voters. Director Kathryn Bigelow takes us inside the head of bomb specialist Sergeant William James, a role Jeremy Renner embodies with perfection. Bigelow's daring take on modern-day war also makes her a shoe-in for Best Director contention.
Summit Entertainment
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image5.jpg
Inglourious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino's fast-paced World War II tale about Jewish-American soldiers scalping Nazis is slick and stylish. It is also the film Tarantino's calls his masterpiece. Whether that opinion will help 'Inglourious Basterds' win Best Picture remains be seen. But, don't count Tarantino out of any race for Oscar gold.
Universal Pictures
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image6.jpg
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Lee Daniels nailed this film about a poor Harlem teen who is impregnated twice by her drug-addled father. She's illiterate. She's obese. She's abused by her mother - Golden Globe winner Mo'Nique. But Precious keeps on fighting. That message and fine work from Daniels, Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique make 'Precious' a Best Picture fave.
Lionsgate
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image7.jpg
A Serious Man
Joel and Ethan Coen's black, bleak movie takes on the serious side of life and faith. Reflecting the filmmaker's own Jewish upbringing in Minnesota, 'A Serious Man' looks for solace in religious and community leaders. Yet, even they can't fathom God's greater plan in such cockeyed times. That Coen cachet could be enough to pull off a surprise win
Focus Features, Wilson Webb
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image8.jpg
Up
Perfection is the only way to describe Pixar's latest gem about a stout-hearted kid and a crotchety old widower who fly off to South America. 'Up' is charming, funny and full of touching drama. Thanks to the Oscars' new preferential voting system and a bump from five to 10 nominees in the Best Picture category, count on 'Up' to be up for Oscar gold.
Walt Disney Pictures / Pixar Animation Studios
-
http://images.ctv.ca/gallery/photo/Oscar_best_picture_20100202/image9.jpg
Up in the Air
I don't know if Jason Reitman will ever top this film, its hype or the fact that it tapped so beautifully into today's scary new world of job insecurity. Love it or not - ditto for George Clooney's performance - 'Up in the Air' tells 'Ordinary Joe's' to hang tough in these tough times. That's the magic message moviegoers and Academy voters want to hear.
Paramount Pictures
Facebook
Twitter
DIGG
StumbleUpon
Newsvine
Reddit
delicious
Yahoo! Buzz
